Specials
We receive information about special prices or unusual trips all the time. How do we decide that something is special enough to tell you about? First, we are driven by price. We think that everybody would like to know about bargains. Our decision about which prices are good enough to bother with is somewhat subjective. If it looks good to us, maybe it will to you too.
The other issue is whether a particular trip is unique - the price is what it is but the trip is a special experience.
Luxury European River Cruises
River cruising in Europe is probably the fastest growing segment of the travel industry. There are four major companies vying for the English speaking traveler. All have similar ships and sail similiar itineraries. While they are all good, we think that the best value is AMA Waterways. We have chosen to feature the three cruises outlined below for 2012.
We can also help you with cruises at different times or with other cruise lines or on different river systems. The bulk of European river cruising takes place on the Rhine, Main, Danube river system that cuts across Europe from Amsterdam to the Black Sea. You will also find cruises on the Rhone in France, the Douro in Portugal, and the Dnieper in Russia.
Our featured cruises for 2012 include:
Vineyards of the Rhine and Mosel - seven night cruise sailing from Amsterdam to Luxembourg on two dates - April 1 and August 29, 2012. Special sights include the magnificent Cologne Cathedral and a visit to Floriade 2012 the once every 10 years World Horticulture Exhibit. Click the date for a flyer on each - April - August.
Enchanting Rhine Wine Cruise - from Amsterdam to Zurich sailing November 8, 2012. Seven night cruise on the beautiful Rhine river with a special emphasis on wine. Included excursions include winery tours, tastings and lectures along with an opportunity to sample all the great wines of the region. Learn more....
Rhine Winter Voyage - seven night cruise from Basel to Amsterdam sailing November 29, 2012. This time is the height of the famed Christmas Markets along the Rhine. There is not a better way to experience Christmas spirit than cruising through these beautifully decorated cities. Learn more...
Fund Raising Cruises
Our main thrust this year is easy and
takes little planning. We have made arrangements with AMA Waterways
(the river cruise company mentioned above) to offer an opportunity to
raise funds by booking a cabin on any one of over 100 qualifying river
cruises. Each cabin booked will earn $300 for the organization
mentioned at the time of booking. With this program, your group does
not have to agree on a date or even an itinerary - just book a cruise
and enjoy.
American River Cruising
It's been about 4 years since we had river cruising in America. Next year Great American Steamboat Company will be offering a variety of itineraries on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. Their ship is an authentic paddlewheel steamboat called the American Queen. It is a brand new ship but is a very accurate replica of a turn of the century steamboat down to the decoration of the cabins.
They are offering a whole series of Theme Cruises:
- Civil War history cruises
- Music cruises - Big Band, Fifties, Sixties
- A Kentucky Derby cruise
- Fall foliage cruises
- Old fashioned holiday cruises
Other interesting features include: wine and beer with dinner, included shore excursions, bottled water and soft drinks at any time, specialty dining options at no additional charge, casual dress - no suits and ties, daily onboard lectures and much more.
Prices are similar to European River cruises without the overseas airfare.
The Civil War theme is particularly interesting - it provides an ultimate Civil War experience, complete with actors, impersonators, lecturers, balladeers, field trips and reenactments designed to entertain as well as increase understanding of this pivotal point in time. For a flyer describing these cruises Click Here.
Cruiseventions
What's a cruisevention? It's a convention at sea. It's an oppotunity to explore a subject in depth with the help of seminars conducted by experts in the field. Attending a convention can be a boring experience if you are not interested in the topic being discussed. A cruisevention allows the convention goer to enjoy seminars during cruise sea days while a disinterested spouse can just relax and enjoy the cruise. On days in port, no seminars are scheduled so both can enjoy the cruise. The current offerings are:
MacMania - if you are a Mac user, you are probably familiar with MacWorld. This is like MacWorld at sea. There are at least two full days of seminars on topics of interest to any Mac user. Learn more...
Scientific American - sponsors conventions at sea that bring experts together to address the science topics that are of interest to average people. Following the Insight Cruises format, the convention is optional so the interested person in a family can attend conferences while others just enjoy the cruise. Learn more...
Yankee Magazine - is the sponsor of a cruise celebrating the Yankee way of life. Enjoy cooking classes, decorating ideas, and a bit of yankee history. Learn more...
Netherlands, Belgium, and Paris
Join a springtime 11 day tour to the Netherlands, Belgium, and Paris with included air from Orlando. A tour highlight that will interest gardners is a full day at Floriade, the once every ten years World Horticulture Expo in Amsterdam. You will also visit the world famous Keukenhof Flower Gardens in Amsterdam and experience springtime in Paris. Learn more...
Cultural Cruises
What is a cultural cruise? Our definition is one that offers a more than normal immersion in the culture, art, music, and history of the areas visited. We follow specials on three cruise lines that we feel meet the "cultural cruise" criteria.
Voyages of Discovery - has a single ship, MV Discovery that sails around the world. It is a small ship - just 700 passengers - which allows it to call on ports often off limits to the "big" ships. Every voyage includes a distinguished collection of lecturers who speak on a wide range of topics. Learn more...
Voyages to Antiquity - specializes in the history of the Mediterranean and operates a single 350 passenger ship, The Aegean Odyssey. They include shore excursions and have a staff of archeology and history students to help with trips ashore. Their lecturers are drawn from historians and authors that specialize in ancient and current history of the area. Learn more...
Swan Hellenic - also has a 350 passenger ship, The MV Minerva. They also cruise around the world, offer free shore excursions, and a host of guest lecturers. Learn more...
Music Cruises
There are many different variations of cruises (and some tours) that celebrate music of all sorts. Whether your favorite is classical, pop, jazz, or oldies, there is probably a cruise or tour for that.
Oldies cruises - Many music cruises are on mass market cruise lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, NCL, MSC, or Costa), cost an arm and a leg, and are short cruises that don't go anywhere. These two are on a premium cruise line (Princess) for 7 nights and have an entertainment fee of only $500 for 7 days and nights of concerts, parties.There are two oldies cruises on the schedule right now:
The Doo Wop Cruise 2011 - sail on the newly renovated Grand Princess for a 7 night Eastern Caribbean Cruise sailing round trip from Ft. Lauderdale on December 3, 2011. Learn more...
Party with Paul - join Paul Revere and the Raiders, Davy Jones of the Monkees, Charlie Thomas and the Drifters, and the Buckinghams on the Grand Princess for a seven night Southern Caribbean cruise sailing January 21, 2012 to Princess Cay, Aruba, and Curacao. Learn more...
Smooth Jazz Cruise - more to follow
Jazz Cruise - more to follow
Malt Shop Memories Cruise - full ship charter with a great line up of favorites from the days when we hung around the malt shop. Four night cruise sailing from Tampa on October 27, 2011. Come party with the Beach Boys, Chubby Checker, Little Anthony, Jay Black and more. Learn more...
Food and Wine
There a number of cruises and tours that focus on food and wine. Many include some level of cooking classes. All celebrate the joy of good food and good wine.
For an overview of all of our exclusive Signature Travel Network food and wine events, Click Here.
Food Network Cruise - arguably among the best experiences if you are a serious "foodie" the annual Food Network Cruise features a first class cruise experience (this year on Celebrity's Silhouette) pared with the most hand's on cooking environment you will find anywhere.Learn more...
Food Network Land Tours - new for 2012 is a series of three land tours with multiple departures to Italy, France, and Northern California. Each tour includes a series of "by invitation only" Food Network events (special meals, wine tastings, and cooking classes). For a flyer that reviews just these programs, Click Here.